Shazam! Movie - MARY MARVEL!

Shazam! (Movie) - Power Slingers Basic Series 01 - Mary Marvel - Mattel 2019

I saw Shazam! this weekend and I really liked it. I'm going to discuss the movie so consider this your spoiler alert. Although if you have read his New52 comics or walked down a toy aisle in the last month, you won't be learning anything new. At the end of the movie, just like in the comics, Billy chooses to split up his powers among his family. Suddenly there is a rainbow-hued Marvel Family fighting off the Seven Deadly Sins. Some of the heroes have very clear powers; Darla: Speed, Freddy: Flight,  Eugene: Lightning, and Pedro: Strength. But Mary's aren't obviously announced (possibly because she has them all, or possibly because she has one of the non-physical powers like Wisdom). But either way, her presence in the final scene was lackluster. She didn't get any good battle moments like the rest. Mostly she was seen locked in static struggle with different Sins in the background. I was disappointed in that small aspect, but pleased with the rest of the movie. Here's hoping for a sequel (with more Mary)!

Star Trek Cosplayers of THE BIG BANG THEORY!

Big Bang Theory - Bernadette, Amy, & Penny (SDCC Exc) - BigBangPow 2016

I've never really watched The Big Bang Theory. It seems like a great show, but it was just off my radar for the longest time and I never made much of an effort. It doesn't help that I've been told multiple times that I remind people of Sheldon (it's my vocabulary, I know it). But as sparse as my exposure to the actual show has been, I feel well versed in all their nerdy pop culture references due to friends sending me YouTube clips and memes. I was never really tempted by the toys, however, until these 2016 SDCC Exclusive Star Trek Cosplay figures. I love the retro designs of the original Starfleet uniforms so I knew I would have to eventually get these. A skant with a scoop collar and go-go boots is iconic. The figures themselves have really simple 5 points of articulation, slightly sloppy paint, and sculpts that are definitely not utilizing the newest face-scanning technology. But they are undeniably fun. I've had these figures for a long time and photographed them forever ago, but am just finally getting around to posting. Enjoy!

Transformers Studio Series - SHATTER!

Transformers Deluxe Studio Series #40 - Bumblebee Movie - Shatter - Hasbro 2019

I really thought the Bumblebee movie was fantastic. I loved the slow character development, I loved the awesome cameos, and I loved that the plot did not culminate in an eye-rolling, world-ending, catastrophic event. Apocalyptic threats in movies are a dime a dozen these days and they make all the blockbuster films just blur together for me. But Bumblebee is different and I hope they credit the box office success to these factors with and give us more films with a similar formula. The inclusion of the new character Shatter was just icing on the cake. I love female villains and something about Shatter reminded me so much of Crasher from GoBots - who both terrified and thrilled me as a child. The previous toy offerings of Shatter were too simple for my tastes, so I was really looking forward to this Studio Series figure. I really like the figure overall, but I'm disappointed that she features her concept art head instead of the cinematic version. Hopefully some 3rd party add-on will come to the rescue. Let's check her out!

The Ladies of STAR WARS RESISTANCE!

Star Wars Resistance - Wave 1 - Synara San & Torra Doza - Hasbro 2019

I've always tried to limit my collecting of 3.75" Star Wars figures. I mean, I still have dozens (mostly Ewoks), but without setting limitations I would easily have hundreds. However, one thing that always draws me in are the figures from the new animated shows. I love the way they incorporate lots of classic cinematic elements but with bright colors and simplified designs. They really appeal to me on a base level. The newest entry in the Star Wars animated universe is Star Wars Resistance on Disney XD. This series takes place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens and deals with a cast of characters (mostly pilots) who are spying on the New Republic to see who might secretly be siding with the New Order. I have only watched small portions of this series so far but I'm excited to dedicate some time to binge the entire season. I like how there are real tie-ins to the films, especially the characters like Poe Dameron, BB-8, and Captain Phasma. Let's check out Synara San and Torra Doza in detail below!

Transformers Siege - CHROMIA!

Transformers - War for Cybertron: Siege - Deluxe Wave 2 - Chromia - Hasbro 2019

Chromia has surprisingly become one of the most popular female Autobots in recent years. For only appearing in a single episode of the original cartoon, she sure gets a lot of attention. I just watched her episode again (The Search for Alpha Trion) and she is indeed a pretty impressive character. She appears to be the field leader for the female autobots; giving out orders and keeping a level head the whole time. I also think the fact that Elita One has such a similar palette to Arcee pushed Chromia to the forefront when Hasbro was looking for another female to promote in the toylines (and her cool name didn't hurt her case much either). This is the second unique G1-styled Chromia action figure in the last five years (and I somehow doubt she'll be the last). But in the meantime I'm hoping this body mold will be re-used for a few additional characters, too.  I can imagine a Beta, Nautica, and a long-overdue Deluxe-scale Elita One coming in this sculpt down the line (at least I hope so). Let's check out Chromia below!

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power - SHE-RA!

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power - Battle for Etheria - She-Ra - Super7 2019

I loved the She-Ra and the Princesses of Power reboot from this past Fall. My initial reaction to the art style was a little hesitant, but once I saw the actual episodes I was hooked. One of my favorite design choices was how Adora grew to giant proportions when she changed into She-Ra. I always like when a character's stature changes in proportion to strength. I feel that there is so often an obsession with females being petite they rarely get a chance to Hulk out. Of course She-Hulk grows, Fairchild from Gen13, and Ann O'Brien from Monkeyman and O'Brien, but it's pretty rare, and almost never to monstrous proportions like Mr. Banner himself. But a good 12 inches in height and 50 pounds of muscle is fine for me. This figure from Super7 is great. The sculpt and detailing is a perfect representation from the show. I only hope this first couple figures are popular enough to warrant more. The character designs were so colorful and diverse that I'd love to see them all. Let's check out She-Ra below!

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power - CATRA!

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power - Battle for Etheria - Catra - Super7 2019

Everyone loves Netflix for a number of different reasons. But my favorite aspect has been their amazing original animated programs. I have always loved cartoons, but a lot of modern properties have a tone and style that I can't get into. Before Netflix, the last show I really loved was way back in 2011 (ThunderCats). But now I have several shows that I adore: Voltron: Legendary Defender, The Dragon Prince, and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. These cartoons combine the themes I love from my childhood with the more mature storylines I crave as an adult. It makes me feel like a kid again having numerous cartoons on my watchlist. My favorite part of the new She-Ra show was the complex relationship between Adora and Catra. There was nothing like this in the original series. We all know Adora started out as a Horde Force Captain, but the original series never delved into that Horde-to-Rebellion transition. It really is a great show and I can't wait till Season 2 (April 26th!) Let's check out Catra below!

Marvel Select - THE WASP!

Marvel Select - Ant-Man and the Wasp: The Wasp - Diamond Select Toys 2019

This year is set to be a record-breaking year for female figures in the Marvel Select line. Between now and June we should have a Captain Marvel, Psylocke, and Rogue in addition to this terrific Wasp. Up until now, the most females we've seen in a single year has been three (in 2005 & 2017). And considering the 17-year run of the line, 6 years had no females, and 7 had only one. So having four figures in the first six months is a great sign. It's also pretty amazing how far the quality of these figures has come. Back in the day they tended to be fairly pre-posed with limited (and often awkward) articulation. But now they are right up there (and sometimes better than) Hasbro's Marvel Legends. This Wasp figure is great. The Legends figure was pretty terrific so I wasn't particularly eager for another. But in all honesty, I like this second one better. The wings are nicer, the body seems more cinematic, and I love how smooth the ribcage articulation is (it makes for really dynamic poses). Let's check her out below!